Sri Lanka
Destinations
From ancient cities and sacred temples to tea-covered mountains, national parks and tropical beaches, Sri Lanka offers a remarkable variety of experiences within one island. Explore the places our guests ask for most and where every great itinerary begins.
Wilpattu National Park
Wilpattu National Park is a protected wildlife area in northwestern Sri Lanka, known for its natural habitats and distinctive landscape. Use this guide to learn about the destination and plan a wildlife-focused visit based on current access conditions.
Wilpattu takes its name from its villus – dozens of natural, rain-fed lakes scattered through dense forest that draw wildlife into the open. It is the island's largest park, far quieter than Yala, and one of the best places to see leopards and sloth bears without a queue of jeeps.
It pairs naturally with Anuradhapura and the Cultural Triangle, or with the west-coast beaches around Kalpitiya. The best time to visit is during the dry season from May to September.
Why VisitWilpattu National Park
- Leopards and sloth bears
- Quiet, uncrowded safaris
- Natural villu lakes
- Close to Anuradhapura
Best time to visit
February to October; June for sloth bears.
Suggested length of stay
1–2 nights
Getting there
About 3.5–4 hours from Colombo; 45 minutes from Anuradhapura.
ExploreNearby
Anuradhapura
Sri Lanka's first capital and one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities – colossal stupas, monastic ruins and the sacred Sri Maha Bodhi tree.
Read more
Dambulla
The Golden Cave Temple – five caves of Buddha statues and vivid ceiling murals beneath a single granite overhang, a place of worship for over two thousand years.
Read more
Sigiriya
The 5th-century Lion Rock – a sheer 200-metre fortress rising from the plains, crowned by the ruins of a royal citadel and ringed by ancient gardens.
Read more
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